Essential Services Contingency Reserve

The Essential Services Contingency Reserve (ESCR) provides support to eligible businesses or organizations in essential service sectors, organizations serving Indigenous communities, and social service sectors by offering access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical supplies at no cost. To be eligible for this grant, organizations must meet the following criteria:

• Organizations in essential service sectors must provide services to critical infrastructure essential to Canada's health, safety, security, and economic well-being, including energy, health, food, transportation, safety, and more.
• Organizations serving Indigenous communities must provide services to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, with examples of eligible services ranging from community outreach programs to Indigenous women's circles.
• Social service sector organizations must offer social programs in support of personal, social, and emotional well-being, such as health care and housing, and qualify as registered charitable organizations or not-for-profit organizations.

Who is eligible?

There are three types of companies eligible for the Essential Services Contingency Reserve grant in Canada:

• Essential service sectors providing critical infrastructure services.
• Organizations serving Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
• Social service sectors offering services for personal, social, and emotional well-being.

Eligible expenses

Yes, eligible expenses for this grant include personal protective equipment (PPE), critical supplies, and services provided by organizations in essential service sectors, organizations serving Indigenous communities, and the social service sector.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Critical supplies
• Services provided by organizations in essential service sectors
• Services provided by organizations serving Indigenous communities
• Services provided by organizations in the social service sector

Eligible geographic areas

This grant can be applicable to various regions across Canada as part of a broader emergency support effort. However, specific eligible geographical areas are not outlined in the available information.

There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant:

• Qualifying organizations must meet the eligibility criteria for the specific stream they are applying under.
• Organizations must provide evidence of the urgent need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and critical supplies.
• Applicants must demonstrate how the requested supplies will be used to protect frontline workers in essential services.
• Priority may be given to organizations that serve vulnerable populations or communities.